OSHA Inspection: SAMARITAN HOSPITAL

Issued

Dec 19, 1994

Abate by

Jan 21, 1995

Penalty

Initial $2,250 · Current $1,125 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5 (a)(1) of the OSHA Act: The employer did not furnish employment
%%
and a place of
employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or
likely to cause death
or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to
the hazard of being
infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis through contact with patients who
were or may be
infected with tuberculosis in that:
(a)8/11/94, On the seventh floor - Nurses, housekeepers and other
health care providers were exposed to the hazard of being infected
with tuberculosis through contact with active or suspect TB
patients who were not placed in negative pressure isolation rooms.
(b)8/11/94, Nurses, housekeepers and other health care providers
who enter rooms where suspect or active TB patients are isolated
were not offered Mantoux skin tests every six months in
accordance with the recommendations of the Center for Disease
Control (CDC).
Feasible and useful abatement methods for reducing this hazard, as
recommended
by the Centers for Disease Control, among others are:
1.Placement of individuals with suspected or confirmed TB disease
in an AFB (acid fast bacilli) isolation room.  AFB isolation rooms
for persons with suspected or confirmed infectious TB and areas
in which high hazard procedures are performed on such individuals
must be maintained under negative pressure and appropriately
exhausted (either directly to the outside away from intake vents or
through properly designed, installed, and maintained HEPA
filters).
2.Provide medical surveillance (at no cost to employees) including
preplacement evaluation, administration and interpretation of TB
Mantoux skin tests, and periodic evaluations.  The frequency of
the tests must be in accordance with current CDC guidelines.

Issued

Dec 19, 1994

Abate by

Dec 27, 1994

Penalty

Initial $1,800 · Current $900 Reduced

Issued

Dec 19, 1994

Abate by

Jan 21, 1995

Penalty

Initial $2,250 · Current $1,125 Reduced

Issued

Dec 19, 1994

Abate by

Jan 31, 1995

Penalty

Initial $2,250 · Current $1,125 Reduced

Issued

Dec 19, 1994

Abate by

Jan 31, 1995